Share this with

Ian McGeechan believes Martin Johnson has what it takes to make England one of the top sides in world rugby once again.

British & Irish Lions coach McGeechan is full of praise for the way Johnson has led his country during his year in charge.

Standing tall: Johnson’s England play Australia on Saturday

Johnson, despite the current injury crisis within his squad, will look to build on last season’s Six Nations performances when Australia, Argentina and New Zealand descend on Twickenham over the coming three weeks.

He will name his team tomorrow to face Australia this Saturday and McGeechan is backing him to make England consistent winners once again, just as they were when the Leicester lock captained his country to World Cup success six years ago.

McGeechan, one of the most respected coaches in the game following his four stints in charge of the Lions, not to mention guiding Scotland to a rare Grand Slam success in 1990, said: ‘England are in pretty good shape.

Advertisement

Advertisement

‘Martin Johnson’s done a very good job when you think 12 months ago there were a lot of inexperienced players, no real structure or style, and he has set down what he wants. He knows what a winning environment should be, what it looks and feels like.

‘He is working to his own principles and saying, “If you want to play for England this is what’s expected of you”.’

England ended their last Six Nations campaign with victories over France and Scotland following narrow defeats by Wales and Grand Slam winners Ireland.

And McGeechan said: ‘They ended the Six Nations very strongly but he now has a few injuries he could do without.

‘But they are in good shape and over the next 18 months you’d expect to see them moving forward. They will be quite a handful.’

Johnson, having not worked at club level, is relatively inexperienced as a coach.

But McGeechan believes that is less important than the winning mentality he can instil in his players.

‘You can be a brilliant technical coach but never produce the right environment,’ he insisted.